We give our all for Norway

Today, Friday 28 August, at 11:30 in the morning, an extraordinary meeting of the Council of State was held at the Royal Palace. His Majesty King Haakon VIII formally informed the Council of the death of King Harald V.

Kong Haakon stående i gallauniform med ordener og medaljer. — His Majesty King Haakon VIII before the extraordinary meeting of the Council of State at the Royal Palace. Photo: Ola Vatn, The Royal Court

His Majesty The King stated the following:

Mr Prime Minister and members of your Government:
It is my duty to inform the Council of State that my beloved father, His Majesty King Harald V, died today, 28 August 2026, at 6:35 in the morning, and that I, in keeping with the Constitution, have acceded to the Government as King of Norway.

I will take the name Haakon VIII and will reign under the same motto as that chosen by my father, grandfather and great-grandfather: “We give our all for Norway”.

– I will take the name Haakon VIII and will reign under the same motto as that chosen by my father, grandfather and great-grandfather: “We give our all for Norway”.
King Haakon VIII at the extraordinary meeting of the Council of State at the Royal Palace

Extraordinary meeting of the Council of State

King Haakon and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra with the members of the Government Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB

Kong Haakon passerer foran bysten. — King Haakon in the Council Chamber beside a bust of his great-grandfather, King Haakon VII. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB

Kongen håndhilser på statsministeren i statsrådssalen. — King Haakon greets the Prime Minister. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB

Stoltenberg sitter ved et bord og skriver. På bordet står et bilde av Kong Harald med sørgeflor omkring rammen og en bukett hvite blomster. — Minister of Finance Jens Stoltenberg signs the book of condolence after the extraordinary meeting of the Council of State. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB

Støre sitter ved et bord og skriver. På bordet står et bilde av Kong Harald med sørgeflor omkring rammen og en bukett hvite blomster. — Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre signs the book of condolence after the extraordinary meeting of the Council of State. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB

King Haakon thanked the members of the Government and the Norwegian people for the support and sympathy they have shown for the Royal Family during this difficult time.

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra took part in the extraordinary meeting of the Council of State at her father's side.